Pretoria - Gauteng Health and Social Development MEC Qedani Mahlangu says that operating hours at small health facilities have been extended to deal with the influx of patients during the public servants strike.
This forms part of contingency measures by the Gauteng Department of Health to deal with the affects of the ongoing public service strike.
"Operating hours in small facilities have been extended with some open 24 hours," Mahlangu said on Friday, adding that private hospitals have also agreed to offer their services if there is a backlog at state facilities.
In ensuring that the health system is not overburdened, the hospitals will focus on the emergencies, while small facilities deal with minor ailment care.
Officials working at the central offices and within the department, who are qualified health workers have also been deployed to the facilities to assist.
Commenting on the vandalism of hospital equipment by striking workers, Mahlangu warned that internal disciplinary procedures will be followed and perpetrators will be brought to book.
"In Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, the CCTV camera has taken pictures of people vandalizing and disciplinary action will be taken," Mahlangu warned, noting that some of the people caught by the camera were not hospital employees.
She also warned nurses who come to their workplace and sign a register but do not work with the excuse that they are being threatened.
"Either you are at work working or not, some people just come and sign a register but do not work saying they are being threatened, if you are at work but not working, a principle of no work no pay will be implemented," Mahlangu said.
Mahlangu also noted the reports about people dying in hospitals due to the strike, saying that most people who died included patients with terminal illnesses and under weight babies.
"I can't quantify whether their deaths were due to the strike because most of them were under weight babies weighing 75 kg and some people with terminal illnesses, whose chances of survival were slim."
